Transport for London (TfL) has published new bus safety statistics for the Capital and confirmed details of its comprehensive Bus Safety Programme.
The latest bus safety statistics, for January to March 2016, show that 1,399 people were injured in incidents involving buses – a 6% reduction on the previous quarter (September to December 2015) when 1,488 injuries were recorded. 87% of the injuries in the first quarter of this year were classified as minor and of those, 74% of people did not require hospital treatment.
As part of Transport for London’s Bus Safety Programme, the Sarah Hope Line was launched in April to offer comprehensive support to anyone injured or affected by an incident involving TfL services.
In addition, the Bus Safety Programme will also:
- Develop and test safety technologies and products on London Buses throughout 2016/17 and incorporate them into new buses to help avoid and mitigate the impact of collisions involving buses;
- Update TfL’s bus contracts to include new safety incentives;
- Publish additional bus collision data and make it more accessible;
- Provide greater transparency on bus collision investigations; and
- Deliver a new safety training module to all 24,700 drivers.
TfL said it continues to invest in the most stringent bus driver training in the UK, and by the end of this year, it expects bespoke ‘In the Zone’ training will have been delivered to all bus drivers in the Capital. The training raises drivers’ awareness of the risks that road users take, whether that be as a driver of a vehicle, or as a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist.
The overall trend for collisions involving a bus or coach where someone has been killed or seriously injured has reduced by 48% over the last decade.
Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “While a reduction in injuries in the early part of this year is welcome, we are committed to working in partnership with bus operators to deliver the Bus Safety Programme to further improve safety.
“The Sarah Hope Line will offer a comprehensive support service to anyone affected by an incident involving our services and more work will be undertaken this year on other aspects of the programme. The continued publication of these statistics demonstrates our commitment to transparency and achieving this goal.”
